World War I Victoria Cross Recipient. Born in Shuttington, England, he was serving as a Royal Naval Reservist in the merchant marines when he was appointed a Lieutenant on the Q-Ship “HMS Dunraven” at the start of World War I. On August 8, 1917, in the Bay of Biscay, Atlantic Ocean, a German submarine shelled and hit the “Dunraven”. When her depth charges detonated and the stern caught fire, Lieutenant Bonner with a few crew members stayed in wait for the submarine to come close so they could engage her. Manning a 4" deck gun, they started firing at the submarine when it submerged and fired a torpedo and hit the “Dunraven” again. Lieutenant Bonner remained fighting throughout the whole action until his ship finally sank. For most prestigious gallantry in the face of the enemy, he was awarded the Victoria Cross at the Royal Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, England as a guest of King George V and Queen Consort Mary of Teck. Petty Officer Ernest Herbert Pitcher was also awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery in the action. After the war Bonner became a salvage expert and a Captain in the merchant shipping service. He died at age 66 in Edinburgh, Scotland.
World War I Victoria Cross Recipient. Born in Shuttington, England, he was serving as a Royal Naval Reservist in the merchant marines when he was appointed a Lieutenant on the Q-Ship “HMS Dunraven” at the start of World War I. On August 8, 1917, in the Bay of Biscay, Atlantic Ocean, a German submarine shelled and hit the “Dunraven”. When her depth charges detonated and the stern caught fire, Lieutenant Bonner with a few crew members stayed in wait for the submarine to come close so they could engage her. Manning a 4" deck gun, they started firing at the submarine when it submerged and fired a torpedo and hit the “Dunraven” again. Lieutenant Bonner remained fighting throughout the whole action until his ship finally sank. For most prestigious gallantry in the face of the enemy, he was awarded the Victoria Cross at the Royal Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, England as a guest of King George V and Queen Consort Mary of Teck. Petty Officer Ernest Herbert Pitcher was also awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery in the action. After the war Bonner became a salvage expert and a Captain in the merchant shipping service. He died at age 66 in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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